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Monthly Archives: September 2014

I can still remember that incident when I was a freshman in highschool. A classmate was asking if anyone had a highlighter. I’ve been reading about that in the makeup section of magazines but wasn’t that knowledgeable yet in the world of arts and crafts (i.e. Highlighter pens) so I asked her out loud: Ano yun? She looked at me as if I didn’t know what water was. “Highlighter! Yung panghighlight ng books! Ang bobo mo naman.”
Except she said it in that pa-cute way: “Bubu”

Of course, her words stung–I was an overly-conscious pre-teen and was over sensitive.

But that’s the past. I’d like to think I have more knowledge in the world of makeup and arts/crafts supplies nowadays. I hope the ates at Natio aren’t annoyed when I butt in when they’re asked by the customers about which pen/paint is better hehe. I speak from experience now because I am a pen/arts and crafts materials addict/hoarder (this childhood trauma might be the root of that lol).

I’m actually proud of my past self for daring to ask. Never be ashamed to ask–it’s presumptuous to think that we know everything.

I made my #unbubu project because that incident made me value the importance of humility and curiosity. And of being kinder to others.

I was able to score a copy of The Paris Review with Samantha Hahn’s illustrations. I got so inspired that I made some fanart, using Hydrus from Dr Ph. Martins and a Micron pen. I don’t use pencils to sketch first so the proportions are whack but that’s the way I roll. Excited to make more!

From the band Warpaint, guess who?

I spilled the paint accidentally on top of this haha–but it adds character, so I don’t mind 🙂

I love reading and making lists and I especially love artsycraftsy wip posts. I felt so inspired after going through several tagged blogs. 🙂
Thanks to Ria for tagging me!

What are you working on?
A lot! I have a list of personal projects that I plan on tackling after work or over the weekend. But my attention span is super short and I’m a scanner, so I’m bound to start something then stop halfway when something shinier appears. It’s in my nature, so I have accepted this about myself. On the upside, I do tend to accomplish a lot when the art/craft bug attacks in the middle of the night, haha. I always update my instagram with recent projects, but here are the extra memorable ones:

Experimenting with masking fluid. I suck at calligraphy but thought this might change my mind. This is a line from Conchitina Cruz’s poem “What is it about tenderness”.

Books are piling up on my TBR pile and I can’t be more excited. I have this dream of having a reading nook and I’m planning to swankify a small area near the window for this. Maybe I’ll rearrange furniture or add some fluffy pillows.

I hope the above drawing looks like Aubrey Plaza. It’s my first time to draw a portrait using colored pencils and I’m not sure if I like it. I felt a lot of anxiety that I’d ruin her beautiful face so maybe I’ll just draw imaginary ladies next time. I’m not sure if I have the guts to finish this eep.

How does your work differ from others?
I find it easier to make stuff filled with things I love, so in my works you’d probably see ladies, cats, ladies with cats, fangirling, an unhealthy amount of color, book/film/movie/tv show-inspired stuff. Cats!

Why do you create what you do?
They give me a happy. -Buffy
I feel more relaxed and zen when I create. I’m not fond of making drafts using pencil mostly because I like surprising myself hehe.

How does your creating process work?
I find nuggets of inspiration from my fave things, and then I try to coax/wrangle something out of them. Sometimes the results please me, sometimes they’re epic failures–but at least I got to learn from them. It’s all good. 🙂

Last night, I drew some fashion-y figures on my fashionary notebook (generously donated by Allie–thanks so much!:)).
It was my first time to color these with watercolor pencils, and I loved the precise lines they generate and the messy bleeding washes as well.

Just got news that as a treat to their customers and to celebrate their second birthday, Pixaroll is having a sale! YAY!

Everything at their new store, Poppinprints, from stickers to art prints to 48Frames to ChopBlocks, will be 20% off!

Just enter “2YO” at checkout to get the 20% discount. 🙂

I can’t wait to sort through my instagram pics and pick memories I’d like to preserve. Thanks Pixaroll!

Here’s one of the many Pixaroll prints I got myself last year. It was taken at the now-closed Mochiko branch at The Collective. This was part of the card I was going to be making for my folks as one of the assignments in Fernando Sena’s art workshop. I love how a simple print can trigger so many memories in an instant:

After staying several years in my artsycraftsy materials to try bucket list, I was finally able to buy and try masking fluid! Smells like death, but I just had to try it with a brush (which got ruined, btw):

Mabuhay!

Hi! I'm Drea Dela Cruz, an artist/crafter from Manila, Philippines.

I love trying new things related to arts and crafts and experimenting with various materials.

I started this blog because I wanted to share my love for the DIY movement--I believe everyone has that artistic side that makes them unique and special and I support encouraging fellow makers. Keep on making things!

Aside from arts and crafts, I also enjoy reading books and magazines, playing with stray cats, traveling, and eating. I'd love to share my artsy-craftsy adventures and journey with you here!

If you wanna get in touch with me, kindly email: mabuhaydiy@gmail.com.